Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The "Oxford Movement" headed by Drs. Pusey, Newman, and Keble (using the printer John Henry Parker) produced a series entitled, "A Library of Fathers of the Holy Catholic Church, Anterior to the Division of the East and West." It apparently spans 48 volumes, but is eclipsed by the more complete series produced by Philip Schaff. Nevertheless, many of the volumes appear to be free from copyright and have become publicly available. A list of the volumes, including further information, such as the number of pages of each volume, may be found at the following link (link).

4. Saint John Chrysostom. The homilies ... on the first epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. (Part 1 - Homilies 1-24)(1839) Translated by Hubert Kestell Cornish & John Medley. (Google)(Archive)

5. Saint John Chrysostom. The homilies on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. (Part 2 - Homilies 25-44)(1839) Translated by Hubert Kestell Cornish & John Medley. (Google)(Archive)

6. Saint John Chrysostom. Commentary on Galatians, and homilies on Ephesians. (1840). Tr William John Copeland. (Google)(Archive)

17. Saint Cyprian, and Saint Pacian. The epistles of S. Cyprian...with the Council of Carthage, on the baptism of heretics. With the extant works of S. Pacian: 3 Epistles to Sympronian, Exhortation to Repentance, On baptism. (1844) Translated by H. Carey & C.H. Collyns. (Google)(Archive)

18. Saint Gregory the Great. Morals on the book of Job. Pt. 1 of 4. Parts I and II/Books 1-10 (1844). Translated by Anonymous (Charles Marriott?). (Google)(Google 2)(Archive)

26. Saint Augustine. Homilies on the Gospel according to St. John, and his first Epistle. Pt. 1 of 2. Homilies 1-43, John 1-8. (1848) Translated by H. Browne. (Google)(Google 2)(Google 3)(Archive)

27. Saint John Chrysostom. The homilies on the Second Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (1848) Translated by J. Ashworth. (Google)(Archive)

28. Saint John Chrysostom. The homilies on the Gospel of St. John. Pt. 1 of 2. Homilies 1-41. (1848). Translated by G.T. Stupart. (Google)(Archive)

29. Saint Augustine. Homilies on the Gospel according to St. John, and his first Epistle. Pt. 2 of 2. Homilies 44-124, John 9-21 and Homilies 1-10, 1 John (1849) Translated by H. Browne. (Google)(Google 2)(Google 3)(Google 4)(Archive)

46. Saint Athanasius. Later treatises of S. Athanasius, Archbishop of Alexandria, with notes: and an appendix on S. Cyril of Alexandria and Theodoret (1881). Translated by William Bright. (Google)(Archive)

47. Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Five Tomes against Nestorius; Scholia on the Incarnation; Christ is One; Fragments against Diodore of Tarsus, Theodore of Mopsuestia, The Synousiasts. (1881) Translated by Anon. (E.B.P.?) (Apparently not yet in Google)(Archive)

48. Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Commentary on the Gospel according to John. Pt 2 of 2 (1885) Translated by T. Randell (Apparently not yet in Google)(Archive)

I should point out that the translations, especially in the first volumes tend to have an apologetic aim, and consequently should be taken with a grain of salt. (see also Schaff's comments) In particular, Newman's translations are suspect, as he shortly afterward left the Anglican church for that of Rome. Nevertheless, these 48 volumes may provide at least something from which an English-speaking reader can supplement Schaff's patrology on some points.

I should also note that the Archive pdf documents are generally better than the Google pdf documents, in that the Archive pdf documents often include searchable text. So, if you plan to download, you may want to consider using the Archive links.

Hopefully, this list will serve as a handy index for readers who wish to check on what the early Christian writers had to say in the selected works that were included in the "Library of Fathers" series.

Unforunately, I don't have examples of how instances where Newman's translations are suspect. It's really more an issue of taking the translations with a grain of salt, in view of Schaff's comments (linked in the article) as to the nature of the enterprise undertaken.

Yes, after Newman left the Anglican church he apparently stopped cooperating with the "Protestants" including the Oxford Movement as well as Schaff in producing further editions of the Fathers. He did, however, produce his own later edition(s) (such as the 1881 edition that you mentioned).

I'm sorry this may not be the proper place to put a comment, but you don't allow comments on your fathers blog and I can't find your e-mail address.

I see you have a lot of quotations from Theodoret. Do you happen to have the Patrologia Graeca in electronic format? I am studying Galatians and I'd like to read some commentary from the Greek Fathers. I've read good things about Theodoret and I see you've quoted from his commentary on Paul, but I can't find it online. I have commentaries from Chrysostom and John of Damascus and I think this would make a nice addition. Any pointers? Thanks

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